 Drama: March 23, 2022 Issue [#11257] |
This week: The Drama of Prepositions Edited by: Lilli 🧿 ☕  
More Newsletters By This Editor 
 
1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions
| The best-known rule about prepositions is that you shouldn't end a sentence with one. And that rule is absolutely correct—if you're speaking Latin. It seems that this superstitious rule dates back to 18th Century English grammar books that based their rules on Latin grammar. |
| ASIN: B07K6Z2ZBF |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99
|
|
How many of us have been told by teachers or reviewers, "don't end your sentence with a preposition"?
Well, I'm here to tell you it's a completely fake 'grammar rule' and I have a couple of examples for you.
Winston Churchill is apocryphally said to have mocked this rule with the wonderfully awkward sentence, "This is a thing up with which I will not put”. Interestingly enough, the natural way to say that sentence also ends in a preposition: This is the sort of thing I won't put up with. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Imagine that!
Here's another example. In 1672 author John Dryden criticized fellow author, playwright Ben Johnson for ending his sentences in prepositions calling it a "common fault with him". This is because Dryden wanted English grammar to parallel Latin grammar, but in Latin, sentences cannot end in prepositions. So the English/Latin comparison is bogus.
This complaint about prepositions proliferated through the culture, giving the kind of people who write letters to the editor, even more to complain about. The whole uproar over ending sentences with a preposition is just a 350-year-old pet peeve. Linguists and usage guides all agree that the terminal preposition is fine.
If you don't like to end your sentences with prepositions, you don't have to—just don't say that it is a rule. And if you like to end your sentences with a succinct with, go right ahead and keep doing so—just don't quote Winston Churchill when someone says that you shouldn't. |
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2256499 by Not Available. |
|
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
| ASIN: 0997970618 |
|
Amazon's Price: $ 14.99
|
|
| ASIN: B07P4NVL51 |
Product Type: Toys & Games
|
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
|
|
To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.
|
This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction
of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
